SEM’s CEO was invited to the Natural England’s 2024 Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to celebrate the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a historic and groundbreaking piece of legislation supporting the intrinsic links between people and the natural environment. The Act helped establish National Parks and improved public access to the open countryside.

The 75th Anniversary of the Act was to celebrate the vital partnerships that underpin our shared vision and collective role in delivering the Government’s ambitions for protecting and recovering our iconic landscapes and for bringing people closer to nature. It was also to reflect on the role of Nature as an essential enabler for a strong and sustainable economy and healthy society.

Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England said growing Nature for health, wealth and security is part of the economic and social vision of Natural England and sits at the very heart of Natural England’s work over the next five years and beyond, setting out how the vital partnerships Natural England has will help to realise shared ambitions.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England noted that how the groundbreaking 1949 Act provided us with the foundations for modern nature conservation and has left us with a very valuable legacy, however with nature still in crisis, outlining what we need to achieve in the coming 75 years if we are to meet the big twin challenges of the climate change and the biodiversity emerge.

The Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State at DEFRA spoke about his priority to speed up nature’s recovery, including the actions the Government is taking and the importance of working in partnerships at a national and local level”.”SEM’s CEO was invited to the Natural England’s 2024 Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to celebrate the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a historic and groundbreaking piece of legislation which set the scene for and fundamentally supporting the intrinsic link between people and the natural environment.

SEM’s Founder/CEO Maxwell  A Ayamba had the honour to walk and talk with Debbie North, Cabinet Office appointed Disability and Access Ambassador for the Countryside. Writer, Consultant and Keynote Speaker Member of the British Guild of Travel, writer, travel journalist, and passionate activist dedicated to promoting access for all.

Debbie also runs Access the Dales, a non-profit organisation that aims to reduce barriers for people to access the outdoors and be more active, making sure that no-one is left behind, or excluded. They do this by providing all-terrain wheelchairs in different locations in the Yorkshire Dales and in the Forest of Bowland, by organising inclusive events and by offering inspiration for accessible activities.

Debbie who is also an Ordnance Survey champion is commissioned by Bloomsbury Press to write a book highlighting the inspiring stories of individuals who have used the great outdoors to overcome adversity and was interested to hear Maxwell’s story as an access champion and activist.

SEM’s CEO said he was pleased to meet another access champion such as Debbie to walk and talk along the Old Roman Road, Lady Canning’s Plantation, Peak District National Park, Saturday October 12th 2024.

Maxwell explained that Debbie’s work resonates with the work of SEM to promote access for those marginalised in society.

Debbie said she was keen to work with SEM to reach out to specifically Black and Ethnic Minorities individuals with disabilities who are the most marginalised when it comes to accessing the countryside. She explained this is the most hidden group in our society who no one talks about and whose voices are not heard in Government policy in relation to access rights.

SEM’s CEO noted that disabled Black and Minoritised individuals particularly suffer from “double jeopardy” in the provision of environmental services as they have no one to advocate on their behalf. He therefore welcome the idea to work with Debbie to reach out to this marginalised group who lack the resources and equipment to access the greens paces such as the countryside and National Parks where those privileged are reaping the benefits of our Natural Health Service.

Maxwell was surprised at the number of walkers they met on the trail (all white) who were impressed to see Debbie make it up the rugged terrain in the Peak Park with her Terrain Hopper.

He said it was interesting to hear that the walkers had never seen a powerful machine such as the Terrain Hopper in the Peak Park.

A Rehabilitation Consultant at Leeds General Hospital who stopped to speak with Debbie on the trail said that he had never seen such a machine and would share details of the machine with the hospital so that they can recommend it to people discharged after rehabilitation.

A white lady who also stopped to speak to Debbie said her uncle, an outdoors enthusiast recently lost both legs and can’t get out into the outdoors on the normal wheelchair”.